Water Boy Chris Godwin

Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first-round pick, expressed strong positive impressions of his early experience at the team facility (One Buc Palace) during an interview on The Rock Riley Show. Egbuka specifically highlighted his anticipation for the upcoming Monday, when the team will hold its first padded practice of training camp, adhering to NFL rules that mandate a gradual ramp-up period. He noted that adding pads signifies "real football" and anticipates it being hotter with the extra weight.

Egbuka proactively praised rookie offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, calling him "super helpful" in his development. The article adds context that Grizzard, a former receivers coach, has worked with notable players like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Egbuka also shared admiration for quarterback Baker Mayfield, stating Mayfield has exceeded his expectations and is "one of the most competitive people I know." Furthermore, he expressed deep respect for injured veteran receiver Chris Godwin, who hasn't practiced but has made a significant impression through his selfless, team-first mentality. Egbuka described being stunned by Godwin assisting him with water and towels during practices despite being in street clothes, calling Godwin a "role model" and a "big brother."

The article notes that Egbuka's performance has lived up to the pre-draft hype, looking like a "No. 1 receiver" throughout spring practices and the initial non-padded days of training camp. His play as the No. 19 overall pick has been exceptionally impressive ("so damn good it almost doesn’t feel real"). While acknowledging that the challenges of padded practices and preseason games are next, the expectation is that Egbuka will continue to excel.